Heritage in Manchester

Discover the region’s magical transport heritage and journey along the restored East Lancashire Railway. You’ll see viaducts, picturesque towns, quaint villages and the Irwell Valley while travelling in a most time-honoured fashion.

With its traditional Tudor aesthetic, Bramall Hall is a magical manor house set in 50 acres of parkland, lakes and garden. The magnificent building has just completed a £1.6million restoration, meaning the building now once again exudes a regal and historic essence.

Arley Hall and Gardens is an early Victorian Mansion house with 12 acres of garden surrounding it. Wander around the rooms of the house to experience ornate, elaborate ceilings, intricate stained glass windows and rich oak panelling. Finish off your visit with a trip a 16th century barn to eat at the Tudor Barn Restaurant.

For a free fix of culture, head to the People’s History Museum, which is the national museum of democracy. The museum aims to inspire a diverse audience by informing visitors, by showcasing details of two centuries worth of democratic values and ideas.

Originally founded in 1889, Manchester’s Whitworth Gallery underwent a £15million revamp in 2015 and now features jaw-dropping glass, steel and brick extension that showcases works by great British artists including L. S. Lowry, David Hockney and J.M.W Turner.

Northern industrialists were especially taken with Britain's most vibrant and influential art movement of the time – the Pre-Raphaelites. You can inspect fine examples of work at the Manchester Art Gallery, alongside a thriving selection of costumes and world-class art.